Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers in Eugene, Oregon

Federal criminal charges are terrifying for clients: The United States government — the government that prints the money — is prosecuting you or a loved one. The federal government’s resources are limitless and the consequences of conviction are grave. Charges that could result in optional probation or thirteen months incarceration in state court, can bring lengthy mandatory federal prison sentences.

Ask the following questions when interviewing potential federal defense lawyers:

Have you ever tried a case to a federal jury?

Do you have experience in a federal release hearing?

Do you have experience with the U.S. Attorney prosecuting my case?

What are some result results for your clients in federal court?

What sort of experts do you employ in a case like mine?

If I’m eligible for a court appointed attorney, will the government pay for investigator fees after retaining you?

What can you offer that a federal public defender cannot?

Do you have any recent jury trial experience?

What are the sentencing issues that come up in a case like mine?

What are the legal and suppression issues that often come up?

What is a debrief?

What is a proffer?

What makes a person eligible for Sheridan?

[Federal courthouse 2 blocks from office.]

Federal Drug Charges

Federal controlled substances cases deal heavily in motion to suppress issues, motions to controvert search warrants, “safety valve” sentencing issues, the sentencing guidelines, gun enhancements, factual defenses (particularly in conspiracy cases), and communication with federal agents through debriefs and proffers. Federal drug cases can be complex and time consuming for lawyers and thus expensive. Educate yourself on all of the issues as if your life and liberty depend on it. This is the only way you can become competent enough to retain qualified counsel and understand and participate in your defense.

Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA)

Felon in possession of a firearm is a serious crime in state court but can become a life sentence in federal court. The Gun Control Act gives a 10-year maximum for felon in possession cases but the ACCA provides for a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. The stakes are high.

Remain Silent: Talk to No One

Immediately tell your loved one that they are to talk to absolutely no one about anything that has happened including you and their significant other. Assume that all telephone calls from the jail are recorded, because they are. Recordings of those phone calls will be State’s Exhibit 1 at trial. Tell your loved one to tell any investigators that they want to speak to an Oregon attorney and to say nothing else to law enforcement. No exceptions.

The Federal Government’s Burden of Proof: Can they prove their case?

Under our constitution, an accused person is innocent unless proven guilty. The question for the jury is not whether or not you committed the crime. The question is whether or not the government has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime.

At Arnold Law Office, our attorneys research the legal issues unique to your case and will challenge the government’s evidence through motions to suppress and motions to exclude evidence and unlawful confessions. In addition to challenging the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we will challenge the factual sufficiency of the evidence by aggressively investigating your case and having an investigator speak to witnesses for the state and for you. If there was a suggestive photo identification or other eye witness problems, we challenge that evidence with a nationally known identification expert.

Arnold Law Office’s Unique Approach

We are known for utilizing our skills from other practice areas to defend your case. We are not one-dimensional lawyers. Your case is not “business as usual” for us. Because our firm’s lawyers have a broad range of criminal and civil litigation experience, we have a wide range of experiences and relationships with trial experts that you do not normally see in a criminal case. We will analyze your case’s unique fact issues and brainstorm what expert witnesses will assist the jury on a given disputed fact. That might make the difference between a simple swearing contest between witnesses and reasonable doubt.

Sentencing Factors

U.S. Attorneys, the federal prosecutors, have a huge sentencing hammer to hold over your head. You need an Oregon attorney familiar with the federal criminal sentencing guidelines. While we are preparing your case for trial, we will also be exploring mitigation issues to present to the judge or prosecutor. This includes having an investigator research mitigating factors as well as employing other experts to assist at sentencing, such as drug and alcohol treatment specialists, psychological evaluators, etc.

Choosing an Oregon Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

When your liberty is in jeopardy due to a criminal case, it is important to invest in an Oregon criminal defense lawyer who will give your case the attention that it and you deserve. You need to make an informed decision about the merits and hazards of a jury trial versus the advantages of plea negotiations.

If you or someone you know in Eugene or throughout western or southern Oregon needs the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, call an attorney at Arnold Law today at 541-338-9111 to schedule a consultation or fill out the form to the left or chat on the right.